Pedestrian crossing signals.

Senator Cervantes proposes comprehensive updates to California's pedestrian crossing signals through legislation that would mandate accessible pedestrian signals (APS) and leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) at state-operated intersections. The bill requires installation of touch-free APS systems that communicate crossing information through audio cues, speech messages, and vibrating surfaces for pedestrians with visual impairments.

At state-owned intersections, the Department of Transportation must implement leading pedestrian intervals that provide a 3-7 second head start for pedestrians before parallel vehicle traffic receives a green light. These changes apply to signals in residential and business districts, school zones, safety corridors, and areas with high pedestrian activity. The bill requires touch-free APS installation during new construction and signal upgrades on state highways, while existing signals must receive LPI programming during routine maintenance.

The legislation establishes new tracking requirements, mandating that Caltrans record all state-owned signals and their LPI status in a central database. Local agencies operating state-owned signals must report their LPI implementations for database inclusion. While the bill creates new obligations for local governments, it provides for state reimbursement of associated costs through existing mechanisms.

Unsignalized crossings at signalized intersections may remain unchanged, and touch-free APS installations do not trigger requirements to upgrade other accessibility features unless those elements are already being modified. The Department of Transportation maintains authority to establish uniform standards for signal operations in consultation with local jurisdictions.